Gregory the Great

Gregory I (590-604) is often considered the first medieval pope and the first exponent of a truly medieval spirituality. Carole Straw places Gregory in his historical context and considers the many facets of his personality—monk, preacher, and pope—in order to elucidate the structure of his thought and present a unified, thematic interpretation of his spiritual concerns.

Carole Straw is Associate Professor of History at Mount Holyoke College.

List of Figures
Notes on Sources and Abbreviations
Acknowledgments
INTRODUCTION
I· MICROCOSM AND MEDIATOR
II· A SACRAMENTAL VISION
III· THE SAINT AND THE SOCIAL MEANING OF STABILITY
IV· SOLID1TAS CARITATIS
V· LUBRICA MUTABILITAS
VI· THE LOGIC OF ASCETICISM
VII· THE MEDIATOR OF GOD AND MAN
VIII· THE GOD-MAN AND THE NEW DISPENSATION
IX· THE SACRIFICE OF A CONTRITE HEART
X· REFORM AND THE PREACHER
XI. THE JUST PENITENT
XII· CONSTANTIA MENTIS
CONCLUSION
Bibliographical Essay
Index